Will and the Word
Chapter 18
Dinner was a quiet affair, the conversation was subdued with Harry, Durnik and Belgarath deep in discussion and after dinner broke the three men went outside Belgarath immediately took control of the discussion "Rather than relying on physical tools to engrave the runes." Belgarath said "I want you to Draw in your will and engrave them"
Harry knew the runes by heart, Luna and Hermione had taken months to drill them into his head he understood Belgarath reasoning but, he also thought that someone who was without power would need to be able to activate. With that in mind he turned to Durnik's wagon drew on his will and duplicated it and then using his knowledge of transfiguration elongated it by five feet, Engraved the Runes for resizing, feather light and flying. He then also added the defensive wards that he cast the day he had met Beldaran's family and tied them to a gem that he then a stroke of genius made it that the power would be recharge daily. By the time he was done the sun was just gracing eastern horizon and everyone else was asleep. He stumbled into his room, gently he laid down beside Beldaran and wrapped an arm around her and drifted off.
He awoke feeling Beldaran running her fingers through his hair "Good afternoon sleepy head" Beldaran giggled "I thought we might not see you today. I am glad I was wrong"
"Sorry I had the inscriptions almost done when I an idea and the idea took more time and more power" Harry mumbled looking a little sheepish "I made it so that the rune cluster that powers the various runic arrays would be self-sustaining. I also had to make sure people who had no access to sorcery or magic could use the arrays and that took more time and power." Then his stomach gurgled letting her know he was hungry.
Beldaran smiled gently at her husband of few days "We were all waiting for you so we could have lunch and then start our journey to Tol Honeth." Harry thought for a moment before moving off the bed to his bathroom. Beldaran watched as he walked and could not help but sigh a little at his artfully messy head of hair.
Harry turned to Beldaran "Join me for a bath?" Beldaran smiled and began to remove her clothes as she made her way to the bathroom. "Have I mentioned lately that not only are you dazzlingly beautiful, I love you."
"No Harry," she paused stepping up to him her breath hot on his neck as she teasingly bit and suckled on his neck "It is nice to hear it and hope to be hearing for a few thousand years."
A while later
The younger generation naturally congregated to Harry and Beldaran's tent the Ladies all discussing wedding plans while the men were playing a game of chance. However, Taryn sat in quiet contemplation he was so lost in thought he was startled when Thierra straddled his lap and kissed him deeply "You are thinking to hard my love. What is it?"
"A few days ago, I had a discussion… no that is the wrong word I had a rant at my father about how my life was being hijacked because of my eye color, how that was unfair and that I thought it was well past time for Ulgo to rejoin the world above. We also touched on the Marriage to both you a Khyri. I cannot ask you an Khyri to dwell in darkness. By the same token I cannot exactly drag a people who lived in caves of Ulgo for over 5000 years out into the light. I am wondering if Harry can help."
"Help with what?" Harry said sitting down in a nearby chair pulling Beldaran his lap slowly the rest of the younger generation gravitating around them as had been their wont over the last few days "Seriously Taryn how can I help?"
That question led to a two-hour discussion that had Harry grabbing his journal and taking notes. Finally Harry had heard enough "Well the I see it there are three maybe four solutions, Enchanting an item for all of your people like the scarves you talked about, a Healing charm which I would have to cast again and again so not ideal, I could brew a potions that would undo the thousands of years of evolution the last solution is build a community at the mouths of the entrances into Ulgo."
"Harry, can you bring the rest of the kids out we are getting ready to leave." He Hear their mother call out.
"Okay everybody out I need to pack our tent" Harry said nuzzling Beldaran's neck "Are you ready to introduce me to the world Your Highness?"
Beldaran feeling his hot breath and beard tickling her she could not help but giggle "Yes Your highness I am ready to introduce you to the world and to let them know that you belong to me." She smiled as she arose from his lap "So what did you do to their wagon?"
"First, I duplicated it, then I made it five feet longer, then I enlarged it, engraved the runes using only my will. But midway through the night I had an idea and had to rework the runes so that it could shrink on command to the size of a you can carry in a pocket." Harry paused looking sheepish "I may have also made it feather light so that rather than use horses for the first part of the journey everyone can pile into the wagon and I can fly us all to Taryn's Parents home."
"What about our horses?" Beldaran asked "You can't honestly expect us to leave our horses here."
"No, he does not dear. He spoke with Belgarath about putting the horses to sleep and trans… what was the term you used Harry?" Ce'nedra surprised the couple "Oh! I remember now. Transfigure them into inanimate objects and shrinking them down."
"You have the right of it Mum. And though it might seem unnatural it will only be temporary," Harry admitted "It will take a week or so off our travel time."
Harry looked at the horses and gathered his will and enhance a dormio spell effecting all the horses then he transfigured them into wooden horses before reducing their size. He then conjured a box and gently picked up all the horses before handing them to Princess Thierra "Could you look after these during the flight, I understand you have a way with horses?"
"Are you sure this is going to be safe?" Thierra asked timidly as the fear of flying apparent on her face "I am Sha Dar like my father."
"Fawkes and I will not drop the wagon" Harry said putting a hand on her shoulder "Once almost 8 years ago Fawkes carried Ron, Ginny, a teacher, and myself for an hour. I think between the two of us and the enchantments I laid down of the wagon everyone will be safe." He did not bother to mention that once they sat down, they would not be able to get up until they were back on the ground.
"This is going to be new experience for me." Polgara admitted "I am used to flying under my own power."
"I understand your grace." Harry replied with a smirk "I promise Fawkes and I will not drop you"
"I shall take you at your word your grace." Polgara replied taking her seat" everyone is aboard and seated we are ready"
Harry nodded and shifted into his Animagus form following Fawkes lead he flew up and grabbed the mounting point that he and Durnik had designed the night before and with an ease that surprised him lifted off.
As they flew All the sorcerers transformed into birds taking to flight keeping the two phoenix's company as the teens and young royal couple were left to talk amongst themselves Eleanora led the conversation among the ladies "How does it feel to be a married woman Beldaran?" she asked. Before Beldaran could respond Thierra asked another question
"He is very intense. Does that intensity make it into the bedroom?" waggling her eyebrows. This had the effect of causing all the young to giggle.
At the other end of the wagon Geran and young men were having a very different discussion.
"I wonder what they are giggling about" Geran stated looking at his wife to be fondly.
"They are talking about Harry, about his prowess in bed" Liselle said making her presence known seeing the boys blush she laughed a light airy laugh "Eventually they will compare notes on all of you." Seeing them squirm had the older generation laughing heartily at their discomfort Finally Liselle got her laughter under control.
"Is it not the same with men love?" She smirked knowing the answer "Do you not speak of women thus?"
Silk made to offer an opinion only to be silenced by a look from his wife. Mandorallen did not look happy about the subject at all. Geran and Edrik were mortified, Rhodar looked thoughtful. "That is an Unfair question Liselle" Ce'nedra broke into the conversation "Edrik and Geran both had better role model and Rhodar was schooled by his great aunt so he would be keep his own counsel. However, it is not uncommon for young women to talk about the men they love you should be flattered not worried."
"Does anyone know why we cannot stand up" Silk said changing the focus of the conversation.
"Harry does not want anyone to fall out of the wagon" Ce'nedra responded absently looking as the mountain range began to recede behind them "It is a long way down Silk"
Silk nodded "You make a good point Ce'nedra!"
For Harry the time flying allowed him to center himself for the first time since his friends were taken. He thought of the things His friends had said while they were in between. He was mildly disturbed that he had summoned Luna but was glad her and Beldaran were able to meet.
'Fledgling it is time to start our descent' an amused voice broke into his mind startled he looked up and around with audible squawk it was then he heard an amused trill turning his head ever so slightly he side eyed the other phoenix 'yes fledgling it is me it is time to descend, you have been alone in your thoughts for too long. Your mate desires your company." Slow they began to descend
Beldaran listened to her cousins and friends bantered about the men folk she kept a constant eye on Harry and Fawkes and was not disappointed as Harry squawked and cast a side eyed glance at his companion and smiled as they began to descend toward the road that led to Relg and Taiba's home. She took in the view as they descended never in a thousand years would she have thought to get a view like this so wrapped up in her thought she missed that the wagon was now on the ground until she felt a weight settle on her shoulder and heard Harry Trill warming her heart as he nuzzled her cheek. The trill and nuzzle brought a warmth to her that she had never felt in her life.
Harry was nuzzling Beldaran when suddenly he felt a warmth spread through him it took him a moment to understand what he was feeling before he transformed so that he was standing behind her putting his arms around her. He leaned around to kiss her cheek taking time to whisper "I can feel what you are feeling while it is somewhat muted, I can feel that you are dare I say … content?"
The warmth that Beldaran was feeling intensified but was tinged by a sense of amusement as Harry wrapped his arms around her and when she heard what he said she smiled and turned into his embrace "Not content, loved I feel loved." She said as she concentrated on what she felt for Harry and poured the feeling into her kiss as she captured his lips.
The depth of the feeling Beldaran had put behind the kiss was like a tidal wave if Harry had any doubts that she really loved him they were swept away in the deluge of love Beldaran generated. Unconsciously harry lifted the lithe princess off her feet causing everyone to stop what they were doing as the feelings the couple felt surrounded them filled the air around them bringing smiles to the faces of friends and family. But the moment was spoiled by Fawkes trilling laughter "Come fledglings times for mating later."
"Fawkes" Harry complained then he looked around at everyone and saw a look of surprise on everyone's face but focusing on Ce'Nedra's face he noted a hint of an embarrassed blush on her face and Belgarion his head in his hands trying not to laugh "Did you all hear that?"
Everyone nodded and the laughing continued
"We are about an Hour from my parents' house" Taryn Said nervously thinking about how his elder of her little sisters would react to so many men. For those of you who are not familiar with my heritage. My mother is of Marag descent and My sisters will see many of the unwed men as potential…Mates."
Belgarath who had spent a good deal of time in Maragor smiled "Yes the Marags did not do monogamy."
"Father do not encourage them" Polgara smiled knowing that the boys would be safe. "Harry, can you undo the effects on the horses."
"Yes Ma'am" Harry said out politeness then seeing everyone frown "Sorry a leftover from my childhood Yes Aunt Pol…" he saw her nod with a smile and he turned pulling the horses out of the box arranging them so they were a safe distance he enlarged, reversed the transfiguration and woke the horses "Well Princess Thierra?" Harry asked
Thierra for her part read each of the horses and while they were confused, they were unharmed "I don't know how you do what you do but they are unharmed. Thank you I am only sorry you and Bel have to share a horse. When we get to Tol Honeth we can swing by the Algar embassy and we can pick you out one for you consider it wedding gift cousins." She said with a smile
"I don't mind riding behind my wife" Harry said with a smirk as he watched Thierra's cheeks color "It gives me an excuse to hold her" he then transformed and landing on the pommel of Beldaran's saddle before taking to wing and transforming back "Or I could just do that" Beldaran giggled sand shook her head "No? Then I guess I am riding behind you!"
Everyone smiled and Belgarion recovered from his bout of laughter "Let's mount up and we are only an hour from Relg and Taiba's it will be nice to sit and have a meal"
Taryn walked over to Harry "I should warn you I have sisters a lot of sisters if they flirt with you please do not be offended and try to be gentle." He was going to continue when Beldaran interrupted them.
"I will handle your sisters Taryn, as my husband and Aldur's newest disciple. I am sure we can get through to them." Beldaran said earnestly "I am more worried about when we get to Tol Honeth. All the men."
"I had not thought of that" Taryn said a frown "Tol Honeth could be very dangerous. I know that some men are not above kidnapping… Harry if it is within your power…please"
"I will do what I can to preempt any issues" Harry said saddling Beldaran's horse "I have a couple of an idea it will take me a day or two to do what I need to do to ensure all the kids are protected" Turning to the others he stared at Geran and Eleanora "That includes all of you. I have a bad feeling about this trip given what I have heard if ever someone wanted to create a power vacuum this will be the time to do so."
He started pacing turning group "For those of you who know the players and environs of tol Honeth I will need your eyes and ears which means The consumption of Alcohol will be at a minimum. A drunk mind is a dead mind."
He went on elaborating everyone's duties. The adults looked on in awe Polgara was the first to find her voice "Command seems to come naturally to him."
"One thinks he has decided they are his pack" Nodding in agreement to her daughter A fine pack leader he will make."
"He is not wrong in his assessment" Liselle added looking at her husband "Did you cultivate that or …"
"That is all Him" Silk Said with shrug "I can not fault his logic either, I gather you approve Love?"
"While glass of wine with dinner might not be amiss" Liselle murmured "Varana's Son was killed recently and they still have not caught the assassin." Turning to Belgarion and Ce'nedra "There is a rumor that you ar majesties may be regents for the Tolnedran empire if something untoward should happen to the emperor."
Belgarion nodded his head imperceptibly, Ce'nedra snuggled into his embrace and Belgarath spoke "AS much as it pains me to agree with young Harry, I think consumption will be moderated heavily" they all nodded and mounted their horses and rode at a slow cantor with Taryn and Thierra in the lead and oddly enough Harry and Beldaran taking up back of the column "I don't suppose I could convince you to stay close to your parents, could I?" Harry asked plaintively and was not surprised when an elbow hit him in the stomach "I had to ask"
"We are in this together." Beldaran Hissed "Luna asked me to look after you. Where you go I go. Now take the reins so I can snuggle with my husband."
"Your husband is a very lucky man!" Harry said sincerely "A very lucky man to have you in his life!"
"I am glad he realizes that." She said simply "So what is your idea?"
"Enchanted necklaces. Intent activated portkeys" Harry murmured his attention distracted by the warmth of his wife against him.
"A portkey like the one used to kidnap you?" she asked snuggling back against his chest
"Yes, but in this case, it would be keyed to a location only I know about." Harry thought for a moment "Do you think the emperor would mind if I set up my tent on the grounds?"
"If he does have a problem, we can turn mother loose on him." Beldaran said impishly harry looked confused for a moment
"Why, would we turn Mother loose on him?" Harry asked.
Beldaran's eyes widened "Mother, could we talk to you and father for a moment?"